office of safety, health & environment

Fire Coordinator CourseFire Coordinator Course

Office of Safety, Health & Environment

COURSE OBJECTIVES

To impart sufficient knowledge to personnel appointed as building

Fire Safety Coordinator so that they are able to perform their role and

responsibilities in campus emergency preparedness.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the roles and responsibilities for occupier of premises

• List all the requirements for formulating a fire emergency plan in accordance with his / her workplace premise

• Prepare a fire emergency plan for his / her workplace premise

• Plan, prepare & conduct a fire evacuation drill• Carry out a fire risk assessment

EXTRACTS FROM

FIRE SAFETY ACT

&

UNIVERSITY FIRE SAFETY POLICY

Extracts from Fire Safety Act

Fire Emergency Plan

Section 21.

(1) The Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, designate any premises or class of premises for which a fire emergency plan shall be provided.

(2) Such plan shall conform to such requirements as may be prescribed in any regulations made under this Act.

(3) The owner or occupier of the premises shall be responsible for the preparation and execution of the fire emergency plan, including the distribution of the emergency plan to the occupants of such premises.

(4) The owner or occupier of the premises shall organise and conduct evacuation drills on an annual basis or at such frequency or upon such occasion as may be directed by the Commissioner.


Fire emergency plan

Section 21…..

(5) Any person who contravenes this section shall be

guilty of an offence.


Fire safety managers

Section 22.

(1) The Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, specify any premises or class of premises in which the owner or occupier of the premises is required to appoint fire safety managers in respect of such premises or class of premises.

(2) The owner or occupier of the premises shall ensure that the fire safety measures and fire safety practices of such premises comply with the regulations made under this Act and are of the standard specified by the Commissioner.

(3) The fire safety manager of the premises shall assist the owner or occupier of the premises in the performance of his duties under this Act or any regulations made thereunder.

(4) Any person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of an offence.

Buildings Requiring A Fire Safety Manager

All commercial and industrial buildings which satisfy at

least one of the following conditions:

• gross floor area of at least 5,000 square metres

• occupant load of at least 1,000 persons

• high risk premises e.g. hospitals, buildings involved in

chemical and petrochemical activities


Objectives

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Fire Safety

Policy is established for the purpose of minimizing the risk

of fire and in the event of a fire, to limit its spread, ensuring

the safety of all the University personnel and visitors,

minimizing the potential of fire from disrupting teaching and

research, and lastly minimizing property and environment

damage.


Scope

This policy applies to all persons on National University of

Singapore premises and in particular to staff and key

appointment holders who have a duty placed upon them to

actively monitor the implementation of this policy. This

policy supports the University’s Safety Policy.


Policy Statements

The National University of Singapore is committed to a high standard of fire safety and will make all reasonable efforts to adopt best practices and compliance with the Fire Safety Act, Code of Practices and all other current fire safety legislation and standards.

1. Fire Safety Responsibility

The Dean shall appoint a person in his faculty as the Faculty FireSafety Coordinator. The Faculty Safety Officer may take on this role.Each building shall have a Building Fire Safety Coordinator and fire wardens shall be appointed for each floor.


2. Unobstructed Passage of Escape

The premises on NUS shall have adequate means of escape in case of fire. All

means of escape shall be correctly maintained, kept free from obstruction and

available for safety and effective use at all times. Means of escape shall have

adequate emergency lighting (in case of fire) which will be maintained in

efficient working order.

3. Provisions of Fire Warning System

All buildings in NUS shall be provided with adequate fire detection and warning

system. These shall be maintained in efficient working order.

4. Fire Fighting Equipment

Adequate means for fighting fire shall be provided and these shall be

maintained in efficient working order.


5. Procedures and SOPs

Appropriate instruction shall be given to all persons in University premises on

evacuation procedures. Those effective management procedures are in place

to respond to and deal with the aftermath of a fire.

6. Fire Emergency Plan

All buildings with two storey and above, or with more than twenty

occupants in the building are to conduct annual fire evacuation drill. If there is

more than one department within a building, the Fire Safety Coordinator (s)

shall coordinate and plan such drills.

7. Training

Appropriate fire training shall be given to all designated staff working in lab-

based facilities and / or have an active role in the implementation of the fire

emergency plan.

NUS FIRE SAFETY WEBSITE

http://emergency.nus.edu.sg/firesafety.htm

Fire Safety Management System

There are three elements to the

implementation of Fire Safety Management

System (FSMS) in NUS:

Prevention Emergency Preparedness

Awareness

FSMS

Inspection,

Fire Risk Assessment

Policy,

Manual,SOPs

Fire Drill,

Training

Fire

Emergency Plan

Newsletter,

Updates

Seminars,Competition, Awards

INFORMATION GATHERING

• What is the nature of occupancy?

• How many floors?

• Single or multiple tenant building?

• What is the occupant load?

• Any special hazards (internal/external)?

• What are the existing fire fighting equipment, detection & warning system available in the building?

• Special arrangement for people with disabilities?

FORMULATION OF

FIRE EMERGENCY PLAN

SCOPE

• Introduction

• Fire Safety Committee

• Fire Emergency Plan (FEP)

• Guidelines for FEP

• Action to be taken in the event of fire

• General Pointers

FIRE EMERGENCY PLAN

Fire Emergency Plan (FEP) is a plan that

states the step-by-step procedures for the

occupants and building management to

follow in the event of a fire emergency.

Why is the FEP required?

• Avoid panic

• Evacuate safely and orderly

• Tackle incipient fires with first aid fire-fighting

equipment

• Provide good information and assistance to fire

fighting crews

• Effect timely protection of machineries and

property

Fire Safety Committee

Staffs Students Visitors

Floor Warden(1 for each floor)

Building Coordinator(1 for each building)

Campus Security

Telephone Operator

Fire Fighting Team

Contents of FEP

• Objective

• Action to be taken in event of an outbreak of fire

• Fire occurring outside office hours

• Duties & Responsibilities

• External emergency support

• Fire Evacuation Drill

• Classification of Emergencies

• General

• Appendices

Fire Alarm

Fire Alarm in a building can be activated via one of

the following devices:

• Manual “Break Glass” Callpoint

• Smoke / Heat Detectors

• Sprinkler

Mode of Evacuation

• < 8 storey

� a single stage alarm

� evacuate immediately

� total evacuation upon hearing the alarm

• > 8-storey & < 30-storey

� 2 stage alarm

� 1st alarm - alert signal for total evacuation

� 2nd alarm - commence evacuation

Action to be taken Action to be taken Action to be taken Action to be taken

upon activation of upon activation of upon activation of upon activation of

fire alarmfire alarmfire alarmfire alarm

Single Stage Alarm

Coordinator / Asst

• Proceed to Fire Main Alarm Panel

• Alert Campus Security the activation of fire alarm immediately

• Alert SCDF when fire situation is confirmed.

• Proceed to Assembly Point and obtain floor evacuation

status reports from Fire Wardens

• Await for arrival of Campus Security & SCDF

Single Stage Alarm

Fire Warden / Asst

• Check sub alarm panel for location of fire

• Conduct physical check/verification of fire• Report to Coordinator if fire on his floor & effect evacuation

immediately• Attempt to extinguish fire w/o taking personal risk

• Effect evacuation immediately

• Check all rooms & evacuate everyone on his floor• Attention on disabled, children, pregnant women

• At Assembly Area, conduct roll call using floor register & handover to Coordinator

• Ensure that no one re-enters the building until it is safe to do so

Two Stage Alarm

Coordinator / Asst

• Proceed to Fire Command Centre

• Isolate alarm bell

• Mobilize Fire Wardens to investigate

• Fire Warden (fire floor) investigates cause of alarm & report status

• Standby to receive status from FW

• Initiate appropriate text messages

• Prepare to evacuate as specified in FEP

Two Stage Alarm

Coordinator / Asst1st alarm to be silenced not more than 1 min upon activation and

Text 1 message is initiated immediately.

Announcement of Text 1Announcement of Text 1

““ Ladies & Gentlemen, your attention, please. Ladies & Gentlemen, your attention, please.

The fire alarm has been activated in the bldg. The fire alarm has been activated in the bldg.

We are investigating the situation. Please We are investigating the situation. Please

remain calm & standby your speakers for remain calm & standby your speakers for

further instruction. Thank you.further instruction. Thank you.””

Two Stage Alarm

Coordinator / AsstIf Fire Warden reports situation under control

Announcement of Text 2 Announcement of Text 2

““Ladies & Gentlemen, your attention, please. Ladies & Gentlemen, your attention, please.

The emergency situation in the building is now The emergency situation in the building is now

under control. We regret any inconvenience under control. We regret any inconvenience

caused. Thank youcaused. Thank you””

Two Stage Alarm

Coordinator / AsstIf Fire Warden reports false alarm



We have investigated the situation and found it We have investigated the situation and found it

to be a false alarm. We regret for any to be a false alarm. We regret for any

inconvenience caused. Thank youinconvenience caused. Thank you””

Two Stage Alarm

Coordinator / AsstIf Fire Warden reports fire is beyond control



There exists an emergency situation in the There exists an emergency situation in the

building. Please evacuate using the nearest building. Please evacuate using the nearest

exist staircase and obey all instructions given exist staircase and obey all instructions given

by fire wardens. Thank youby fire wardens. Thank you””

Two Stage Alarm

Fire Warden / AsstOn hearing 1st stage alarm,

• Check sub alarm panel

• Conduct physical check

• Report to Coordinator if fire on his floor & effect evacuation immediately

• Prepare for evacuation and standby near speaker if fire not on his/her floor

Two Stage Alarm

Fire Warden / AsstOn hearing evacuation announcement,

• Effect evacuation immediately

• Check all rooms & evacuate everyone on his floor

• Attention on disabled, children & pregnant women

• At Assembly Area, conduct roll call using floor register &

handover to Coordinator

• Ensure that no one re-enters the building until it is safe to

do so

Building Evacuation Status Chart

Coordinator :Building :

StoreyName of

Fire WardenNot ClearedCleared

Evacuation Status.

Floor Register

Fire Warden : ________________________________________________

Storey : ______________________

Unit No.Name of

Occupants AbsentPresent

Evacuation Status.

Emergency Assembly Point

Emergency Assembly Point

Criteria

• Open areas that are away from buildings, but not so far

away as to inhibit compliance by building occupants

• Easily and safely accessible

• Large enough to accommodate all building occupants

• Accessible to emergency medical personnel (but EAPs

must not obstruct firefighters’ access routes or block fire

protection equipment such as hydrants or pumper connections)

Campus Security

• At ground floor staircase exit, main entrance &

exit to prevent re-entry

• Patrolling

• Direct SCDF to FCC

• Direct traffic

Fire Occurring Outside Office Hours

Campus Security

• Notify SCDF if fire is beyond control

• Notify Coordinator/Asst

• Fight fire without endangering self

• Interim Coordinator at Assembly Point

False Alarm Reporting

For any occurrence of false alarm, please provide OSHE with theinformation stated below via email.

1. Exact location, building name, floor & room no.2. Date & time of activation3. Actions taken upon activation of alarm. (reported by, responded

by, evacuation activated etc)4. Cause of alarm5. Rectification work (if any)6. Any other information

OSHE will update the information to our records to monitor the list of reported cases on campus or for any follow up action e.g. cases at AS7 & MD11.

Duties & Responsibilities Duties & Responsibilities Duties & Responsibilities Duties & Responsibilities

of Fire Safety Committeeof Fire Safety Committeeof Fire Safety Committeeof Fire Safety Committee

Duties & Responsibilities

Coordinator / Asst

• Represent management

• Establish Fire Safety Committee

• Training

• Prepare FEP

• Records date & time of drill conducted

Evacuation Drill Record Sheet

I, the undersigned, designated as Coordinator of the fire drill held by

_______________ (Name of premises) hereby certify that the facts shown

on the line or lines herein below opposite my signature are correct &

further that each drill was successfully conducted in full compliance with

the approved Fire Emergency Plan.

Name of Coordinator

Evacuation Time

Participation Rate (%)

No. of Participants

Fire FloorTimeDate of Drill


Coordinator / Asst

• Appoint one person as Coordinator during his

absence

• Oversee training of appointment holders

• Policing of fire hazards

• Proper maintenance of fire fighting equipment

• Coordinate fire safety awareness & public

education program

Fire Safety Training

Fire Safety Education Course (Level 1)

Who should attend – Mandatory for lab-based staffs and post graduate students

working in and around laboratories– Mandatory for staffs holding the appointment of fire warden and

assistant fire warden

Course Aim

To equip participants with the necessary awareness and skills toenable them to be proactive in basic fire prevention and effective in fire aid fire fighting.


Fire Warden Training Course (Level 2)

Who should attend– Mandatory for staffs who have been delegated to perform the

role of fire warden or assistant fire warden

Course Aim

Participants will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to effectively perform the role and responsibilities of building fire warden.


Fire Safety Coordinator Course (Level 3)

Who should attend– Mandatory for staffs who have been appointed to perform the

role of building fire safety coordinator or assistant fire safety coordinator

Course Aim

Prepares building representatives for their role in campus emergency/disaster preparedness. They prepare building response plans and coordinate education and planning for all building occupants.


Fire Warden / Asst

• Acquaint new employee with FEP

• Familiar with FEP & means of escape

• Familiar with fire alarm & use of first aid fire

fighting equipment

• Maintain & update floor register


Campus Security

• Familiar with FEP & means of escape

• Security personnel are well versed

General General General General

PointersPointersPointersPointers

General Pointers

• Distribution of the FEP� hardcopy / email / website

� fire safety committee members

� brief occupants

• Posting of fire emergency instructions

� conspicuous location

• Fire Coordinator / Fire Warden identification

� luminous yellow vest for fire coordinators

� luminous orange vest for fire wardens

• Loudspeakers

� for crowd control during emergencies

Fire Warden Box

• Designed to house fire warden equipment like vests & floor register.

• To be installed at strategic location on every floor.

• Alarm will be sounded upon

opening of box.

General Pointers

• Training� keep occupants knowledgeable on fire prevention &

fire extinguishing method

� refresher training organised at periodic intervals

• Fire drills� conducted annually

� occupants with medical problems exempted

� pregnant occupants exempted� special arrangement for disabled persons

� keep record of the fire drills conducted

General Pointers

• Regular meetings

� discuss fire safety issues & updates

� fire safety training status of appointed coordinators /

wardens

� fire risk assessments

� internal fire safety inspection results

� short comings found

� necessary action to be taken

� closures of fire safety issues previously identified

Planning ofPlanning ofPlanning ofPlanning of

Step 1 : Formulation / Review of FEP

8 weeks prior to drill

• Update respective floor layout plans

• Update Fire Warden’s name list & contact number

• Update respective floor register

• Submission of FEP to OSHE for approval / review

Step 2 : Confirmation of Drill Date

• Fire drill to be conducted annually in accordance to

WY (April – March).

• Confirmation of drill date (5 weeks prior to drill)

• Notify supporting departments (4 weeks prior to drill)

� OSHE - observation & assessment of drill

� Campus Security - traffic & transient crowd management

� OED - fire alarm activation & resetting

• Notify building occupants of upcoming drill period

(email, notice board) (4 weeks prior to drill)

• Notify Fire Wardens for pre-fire drill briefing (4 weeks prior to drill)

Step 3 : Briefing for Fire Wardens

2 weeks prior to drill

• Review of last drill performance

• Determine objective (s) of upcoming fire drill

• Revisit drill procedures (update new changes to FEP)

Step 4 : Logistical Preparation

• Loud hailer

• Stand / Label

• Luminous Yellow Vest (Fire Coordinator)

• Luminous Orange Vest (Fire Warden)

• Stopwatch

Fire Drill Simulation Aid

• Fire Simulator

• Rescue Mannequin

• Smoke Machine


• Designed to carry out on site live fire training with the minimum initial outlay

• Safe & clean

• Cost effective


• Extremely durable, rugged & life-like

• Effective for practicing extrication and transport training

• May be used in first aid scenario to enhance realism in fire drill exercise


The “safe smoke” provides the

realism of disorientation commonly

experienced in actual fire conditions.

Step 5 : Actual Drill

• Ensure all involved parties are present

• Synchronize time for fire alarm activation/isolation

• Inform location for debrief session

• Activation of alarm (alarm to ring for at least 3 mins)

Fire Safety Fire Safety Fire Safety Fire Safety

InspectionInspectionInspectionInspection

Fire Safety Inspection Program

Objectives

• To ensure compliance to fire safety code and regulation

• To identify & rectify potential fire safety hazards in

workplace

• To cultivate fire safety culture in NUS.

Exit / Fire Doors

• Do the fire doors swing outward?

• Is the fire door fitted with an automatic door

closer?

• Is the fire door in close position?

• Are the exits and fire doors clear of any

obstructions?

• Is the fire door locked?

Exit / Fire Doors

Staircases

• Are the staircases clear of any obstructions?

Corridors / Passageways

• Are the corridors / passageways clear of any obstacles, storage & debris?

• Are the corridors / passageways at least 1.0m wide?

Fire Extinguishers

• Are the extinguishers in their proper type, capacity, location, fully charged & within date of service?

• Are the extinguishers securely mounted or in an approved cabinet (not higher than 1.5m above ground)?

Hosereel

• Are the hosereels working?

• Is the nozzle & hoses satisfactory?

• Is there any obstruction?

• Is the control valve working?

• Are the hose reels serviced annually?

Exit Signs

• Is the exit sign visible?

• Is the exit sign illuminated?

• Is exit directional sign adequate?

Fire Alarm System

• Is the main / sub alarm panel in order?

• Is there any obstruction?

• Is the fire alarm system maintained?

Conventional Fire Alarm Panel

In a conventional panel, fire detection

devices including, but not limited to smoke

detectors, heat detectors and manual call

points are joined up with a number

connected to each circuit.

A small map of the building is often placed

near the main entrance with the defined

zones drawn up, and LEDs indicating

whether a particular circuit/zone has been

activated.

The main drawback with conventional

panels is that one cannot tell which device

has been activated within a circuit. The

fire may be in one small room, but a fire

could exist anywhere within a zone.

Visual Inspection

Report to OED Zone Manager

if any of the lights in these

boxes is lighted up.

Addressable Fire Alarm Panel

An addressable panel is a

more modern type of panel,

which signals from each

detector, call point and/or

activating device individually

identified at the control panel.

An addressable panel has a

number of loops, where a

number of devices are able to

be connected, each with its

own address.

Visual Inspection


if any of the lights signaling

FAULT, ISOLATION, DISABLED

in these boxes is lighted up.


If faulty message appears

in the digital screen.

Reporting a problem

Information required by OED

• Exact location of faulty fire control panel

• Date & time of inspection

• Fire control panel number (eg E4-Level4)

• Nature of fault

• Frequency of fault (if available)

• Any other information.

Information to be forwarded to respective OED Zone Manager. Contact

information of OED Zone Manager can be found via the following link:

http://www.nus.edu.sg/oed/services/ems/zone1.htm

Electrical Hazards

• Is there any extension cords in use in place of permanent electrical installations?

• Is there any spliced or frayed cords/wires?

• Is there any broken or faulty switch/outlets?

• Is the electrical panel overloaded/obstructed?

• Is there adapters in use, other than approved type with

“Safety Mark” label?

Electrical Hazards

Housekeeping

• Are all the flammable/combustible liquids properly stored in approved cabinet?

• Is there any combustible material stored near ignition source?

• Is there any accumulation of combustible materials?

• Are there any illegal cooking facilities / naked lights?

Fire Safety Inspection Program

INSPECTION

HAZARD FOUND NO HAZARD

ISSUE NOTICE OF

ABATEMENT

RE-INSPECT

HAZARD NOT

CORRECTED

HAZARD

CORRECTED

FILE

ENFORCEMENT

Group Exercise

• Break into 4 groups.

– Group 1: University Cultural Centre

– Group 2: University Hall

– Group 3: Yusof Ishak House

– Group 4: Sports Recreational Centre

• Carry out the following tasks

– information gathering

– mock inspection on the following buildings:

Group Exercise

1. Identify the unique challenges / special hazards associated withthe building.

2. Propose recommended solutions / mitigation measures.

3. Identify possible emergency assembly point (primary & secondary)

4. Identify the type of fire fighting, detection, warning & protection system of the building.

5. Propose programs to increase fire safety awareness among building occupants.

6. Carry out mock fire safety inspection (general areas only).

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